With the number one goal being prevention, University of Idaho Student-Athlete Services provides not only equipment, strength and conditioning and preventative athletic training measures, but coordinates with sports nutritionists and sports psychologists for the overall well-being of Vandal student-athletes.

“We approach our jobs first from a prevention standpoint,” head athletic trainer Barrie Steele said. “But injuries do occur in athletics and when they do, we make sure our student-athletes receive the finest in immediate and follow-up care. When they return to competition, our goal is to have them in better condition than before the injury and with a reduced chance of re-injury.”

Making the job easier for the Steele and the Idaho Student-Athlete Services staff was the total overhaul of the athletic training and equipment room areas over the summer of 2008. The locker rooms received a ‘facelift’ of new flooring and tiling, while two new individual team rooms, one new computer lab and one auditorium-style meeting room were also added.

After the renovation, the equipment room nearly doubled in size. Totally new washer/dryer systems cut hours out of cleaning times, while a new ‘cubby’ equipment system greatly streamlines the equipment check-out process. The athletic training area was also expanded greatly, with new offices, larger work areas, and private exam rooms. Then enhancements have given Idaho’s athletic trainers more room to work with and have greatly expanded its capabilities for in-house treatment and rehab.